The historical impacts of 2016

Rut Ortiz, News Editor

The following events are occurrences from 2016 that will have a major impact on the countries affected. From the excitements of the Summer Olympics in Rio to the forceful seizing of 50 percent of Aleppo, Syria; these specific incidents have crossed national borders and the residual consequences are sure to be felt in the long run.

Here are only a fraction of what has occurred in 2016, referenced in chronological order.

April 22, Aleppo, Syria: Intense bombardments on both government and rebel-held areas in Aleppo began in April 2016 and lasted until July. The war-torn city located in northern Syria has been in a deadlock for four years after uprisings began against the government in 2011. The government has recently regained control of 50 percent of the city according to articles by BBC and Al Jazeera.

June 12, Orlando, Fla.: A gunman entered a gay nightclub named Pulse and opened fire on the crowd. This mass shooting was deemed the worst mass shooting in America’s history and left 49 dead and 53 wounded according to a New York Times article.

June 23, United Kingdom: The vote for #Brexit went through with a win for the Independent Party. Voters from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales went to the polls and voted to leave the European Union. The U.K. has been a member of the EU since 1973 and is expected to completely break away from its agreement with the EU within an estimated four years.

July 14, Nice, France: A driver slammed a lorry through a crowd of people in the southern city of Nice, France leaving 84 people dead. The driver drove through people until being shot dead by police.

Aug. 5, Rio, Brazil: The 2016 Summer Olympics went from Aug. 5 – Aug. 21. The United States left with a total medal count of 121: 46 gold, 37 silver and 38 bronze.

Oct. 26, United States: The total number of reported Zika virus cases in the U.S. tallied 32,816 in 2016. The cases were counted from data recorded between Jan. 1 – Oct. 26 according to an article by the Washington Post.

Nov. 2, Cleveland, Ohio: The Chicago Cubs win the World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Nov. 8, United States: America voted for its 45th president. Donald Trump won the Electoral College and is president-elect.  

Nov. 25, Cuba: Fidel Castro, the former politician, revolutionary, prime minister and president of Cuba died at age 90. His younger brother, Raul Castro is president of the country..

Nov. 28, Columbus, Ohio: An OSU student rammed his car into a crowd of students, faculty and staff at the university’s campus and proceeded to exit his vehicle and slash passers-by with a butcher knife. The attack left 11 people injured before a police officer shot him three times.

Nov. 29, Gatlinburg , Tenn.: An investigation is ongoing within the city of Gatlinburg after wildfire ravaged nearby communities, scorching homes and businesses in its path. The city has seen months of drought and the fires could rekindle according to a Dec. 2 report by Fox News. The death toll is now at 13 people.

Dec. 3, Oakland, Calif.: Nine people have died from a fire that broke out in a warehouse during a party. At least 25 people are still unaccounted for and the death toll could rise according to a Dec. 3 report by CNN.